One of Vancouver’s most recognizable landmarks and oldest major buildings is getting a new kind of passenger — not on the tracks, but in its office space within the upper levels of the building.
Fresh Tracks Canada, a major Canadian tour operator, has moved its headquarters office into Pacific Central Station under a 10-year tenancy agreement with VIA Rail, bringing about 75 employees into the 1919-constructed building.
The move signals a broader shift in how the national passenger rail operator is using its biggest stations: not just as places to catch a train, but as mixed-use commercial and community spaces.
The tour company is now occupying about 10,200 sq. ft. of office space in the station, according to NAI Commercial.
VIA Rail notes the decision reflects years of work to modernize the station while keeping its historic character intact. Pacific Central Station, formally recognized as a Heritage Railway Station in 1991, is best known for its imposing Neoclassical architecture and as the western terminus for routes like VIA Rail’s The Canadian reaching Toronto — which marked its 70th anniversary in 2025 — and Amtrak Cascades reaching Seattle and Portland.
But in recent years, it has also been evolving into a workplace and commercial destination, which serves to optimize under-utilized station spaces, and acknowledge the station’s strategic location immediately north of SkyTrain’s Main Street-Science World Station and south of the new St. Paul’s Hospital campus, which will bring thousands of new workers and visitors to the immediate area per day upon opening in 2027.
This influx starting next year — followed by sustained growth and expansion of the campus for more years to come — will increase the need for local-serving shops, restaurants, and services.
VIA Rail’s Pacific Central Station, Vancouver. (Kenneth Chan)
“Welcoming Fresh Tracks Canada into our historic station demonstrates the success of VIA Rail’s investments in transforming Pacific Central Station to be more accessible and welcoming to partners and local businesses,” said Mathieu Paquette, lead executive at VIA Rail, in a statement. He added that the company sees stations as “more than simply transit stops,” describing them instead as “local hubs for connectivity and commerce.”
The federal Crown corporation also highlighted that Pacific Central Station has received more than $8 million in upgrades over the past two years, including improvements to HVAC systems, structural supports, automated building systems, and renovated office spaces. The work is part of the VIAction 2030 plan, which focuses on modernizing heritage stations across the country while improving accessibility and comfort for passengers.
“Opening our spaces to partners like Fresh Tracks is exactly how we envisioned the next chapter for Pacific Central Station,” said Shant Demirdjian, manager of leasing and real estate at VIA Rail.
“Beyond simply filling office space, we’re curating a mix of services and experiences that make the station more inviting every day. We look forward to welcoming more partners that will help build a lasting, positive presence for the station in the Vancouver community.”
Fresh Tracks’ office was previously located at downtown Vancouver’s RBC Place office tower, which was up until recently known as the HSBC Canada building.
As of the time of writing, commercial real estate firm Avison Young notes there are several space availabilities at Pacific Central Station, including a 1,500 sq. ft. retail unit on the ground level and the entire second floor with 16,300 sq. ft. of “flex” office space.